Earth(4)

"It kind of already did," David mumbled.

Shawn arched his eyebrow at him.

"I mean…yes, sir." David reopened the book and scribbled a note.

"Don't call me sir." Shawn resumed walking, making quick work of the sandy dunes.

"Yes, S— Shawn." David's feet kept sinking in, making it hard to keep up with Shawn.

"And find me some damn chapstick."

David wrote another note. "I'll check with supply, sir."

Shawn stopped, and was about to turn around when one of their own came riding down the road on his bicycle, waving an arm. "They're back! The mission to Easter Island – a success!"

Shawn raised his eyebrows in surprise. After more than a year, he had written off the mission. Shawn and David collected their own bikes, spray painted black, as were all the bikes with One Less, and continued on to headquarters.

"I wish we had horses," David huffed alongside Shawn. He had to stand, putting more force on the pedals in order to keep pace with Shawn on the uphill.

"We did," Shawn replied. "They got eaten."

They soon reached their camp on Antelope Island, in the middle of the Great Salt Lake, where they had set up after the show down at Mammoth Cave. Here, Shawn could run his business in relative peace while still being close enough to Salt Lake City to procure any supplies they needed.

A group of four sat in the middle of the camp, barely recognizable from when Shawn last saw them. They were much thinner, and either had too much or too little hair.

"Where's the fifth?" Shawn asked, approaching the group.

They all hopped to their feet.

The one with a beard hanging past his chin, spoke up, "Went overboard in the Pacific."

Another coughed.

There was probably more to the story but Shawn didn't care to hear it. "And the bodies?"

"Delivered."

Kaitlyn's Akasha had caused plenty of casualties; some on her side. Her infamous black-braided friend was one of them. The body of Ahi, along with those of several fellow Easter Islanders, had been collected before The Seven could claim them.

Shawn crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. "I'll know if you're lying to me."

One of the women walked up to Shawn and placed a bag in his hands.

He opened it and several rocks fell out into his palm.

"Hardened lava from the caves," she explained.

Shawn closed his fist around the rocks, squeezing. Energy emanated from the rocks, causing his whole arm to tingle. He nodded, put the rocks back in the bag and asked, "Anything else?"

"There's more in our trailer." The man gestured to a homemade, two-wheeled contraption hitched to the back of a well-used bike.

Shawn nodded but didn't inspect. "What did they do with the bodies?"

Procuring the formaldehyde and finding someone that could embalm the bodies had taken time and resources One Less could have put to better use elsewhere, but Shawn had a list. A list that Ahi herself said must be addressed before Shawn could obtain Akasha. Shawn figured the best he could do to make amends was send the bodies back to their homeland so they could be honored in whatever traditions the islanders had.

"Burned the three Fires, gave the Air a sky funeral."

Shawn snorted. "We could've done that."

"Made us stay until the body had been picked clean by birds." The hairy man laughed. "The next morning I found a dozen dead seagulls on the shore. I tried to tell them about the formaldehyde, but they insisted."

Shawn laughed with him.

David stepped up. "Where do you want them? We could use a few more on kitchen duty."

The group groaned.

"Get them checked out by the doc first." Shawn turned to the group. "Then to the kitchens for the next month. The work isn't very physical and you get first dibs on food. You all could use it." As Shawn turned to walk away he nodded toward the hairy man. "Except you – you're with me."

The man followed.

"You were new to One Less – right before Mammoth Cave, if I remember. What was your name?"

"Clay." The hairy man had to crane his neck all the way back to look at Shawn.

"That's right. The Earth." Shawn turned to make sure they were far enough from the group. "I'm going into town on a few errands. I could use an Earth. You in?" Shawn asked.

Clay bent down, picked up a handful of dirt and sniffed it. "Not good soil; have you managed to grow much here?"

Shawn smiled. "We've learned a few tricks. So, what do you say?"

"My butt may not be able to handle the bike seat so soon."

Shawn laughed. "We're not going until next week. Until then, try to stay off the bike." Shawn slapped Clay hard on the back and left, barking more orders at David.